Malaysian Ringgit Ends Lower Against US Dollar

KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian ringgit closed lower against the US dollar on Friday, in line with the performance of most regional currencies as demand shifted to the greenback, dealers said. At 6 pm, the local unit stood at 4.4230/4280 against the US dollar compared with 4.4190/4220 on Thursday. A dealer said the ringgit was likely pressured by risk-off sentiment going into the weekend. "The US dollar strengthened against major currencies, lifted by risk-off in European majors, firmer US economic data and several hawkish tone from the US Federal Reserve officials," she said. Against other major currencies, the local note was traded mostly higher except the British pound. It was higher against the Singapore dollar to 3.1640/1685 from 3.1677/1703 on Thursday, rose against the euro to 4.7198/7260 from 4.7442/7488 and advanced against the yen to 3.9502/9550 from 3.9732/9763. The ringgit declined against the British pound to 5.5009/5080 from 5.4959/5014 on Thursday. -- BERNAMA